Nomenclature

Nomenclature is the process we use when naming chemical compounds. We can break down how we name these compounds into 2 groups.

First, we have a metal with a non-metal. The metals are found in the first and second columns as well as the middle columns that encompass the transition metals. Then the metal is going to be attached to a non-metal which are found on the right side of the periodic table. For our first example let’s use NaCl.Our first step is to simply name the metal, which in this case is sodium. Now for our non-metal we name the element, chlorine. Instead of just leaving it as is we remove the suffix of –ine and add –ide to the end to get chloride. We are now left with sodium chloride or NaCl. If we are given its name and asked to find the formula we simply work backwards.

Let’s try another example.

Calcium nitrate.

So first we begin by talking the chemical symbol for Calcium which is Ca. Now nitrate is an ion which is considered a non-metal. The charge on Calcium is -1 while the charge on nitrate is -1 and its symbol is NO3. To make this compound balanced we must CROSS OVER the charges and place them at the bottom of our equation.Ex: Ca-2 +NO3-1

Ca 1(NO3)2

We are now left with Ca(NO3)2.Don’t forget your brackets! The charge must be distributed throughout the whole ion. Secondly, we have 2 non-metals bonded together. For this kind we just name the elements and add prefixes to the beginning. For example, P2O5. First we have 2 phosphorus and 5 oxygen. This makes diphosphorus pentoxide.